Tina Kilgallon
Play & EMDR Therapist
B Ed (Hons), MSc-merit , PG cert EMDR – Distinction, CPCAB Level 2
After a long career as a Teacher and Forest School Leader within Worcestershire and more recently as an inclusion support practitioner for Solihull specialist support service. Tina began her training as a Therapist with a level two certificate in counselling in 2018. She has experience working across both primary and secondary age ranges from 3 to 18 and has extensive experience working with a range of additional and special educational needs including ASD, ADHD, Sensory Processing difficulties and with children and young people who have experienced neglect, family breakdown, anxiety, abuse, loss and bereavement.
As well as Play Therapy, Tina has also trained in Sand tray, as an Autplay practitioner and Relax Kids Coach. Tina is also trained to deliver the Child, Parent Relationship Therapy programme as well as Eye Movement & Desensitisation Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) for both adults and children having achieved a distinction at PG cert level as well as a further 6 days intensive specialist child training with a lead practitioner in the field.
Louise Akerman
Play Therapist
BA (Hons), PGCE, MSc-merit
After a long career as a teacher predominantly working in and leading Early Years, Louise moved into a school-based role working as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mental Health Lead, Pastoral Lead and Family Support Worker within Gloucestershire.
Louise began her training as a Play Therapist in 2020 and has worked across both the primary and secondary age ranges from 3 to 18. She has experience working with children with a range of additional needs and has worked in the areas of neglect, family breakdown, anxiety, abuse, loss and bereavement. She also has experience of working with Children Looked After.
As well as Play Therapy, Louise has also trained in Therapeutic Life Story Work and is qualified Yoga and Wellbeing Ambassador.
Michaela has over 10 years’ experience of working with children and young people in a variety of different settings. She began her career as a Teaching and Learning Support Assistant and Swimming Teacher in Primary schools, Special Educational Needs Schools and Pupil Referral Units and a private swimming company that included adult classes.
She became a fully qualified PTUK Play Therapist in 2021, gaining experience from working with charities, Adoption agencies, Educational Psychologists and Local Authorities. She has extensive knowledge and skills in working with children and young people with additional needs.
Additionally, Michaela has worked in areas of loss and bereavement, neglect, family and placement breakdown and stability, anxiety and abuse. Predominantly, with looked after children (LAC).
Continuing professional development has lead Michaela to have trained as a n Autplay Practitioner, Trauma Play provider and is currently working towards becoming a Synergetic Play Therapist.
Hi there, I’m Flo.
BA (Hons) 1st,
PTUK Therapeutic Play Practitioner Distinction
PTUK Certified Play Therapist Distinction
PQ Relational Play and Creative Arts Trainee Therapist with CpCAB
QTS, NPQSL
From Nursery Nurse to teacher, to achieving my NPQSL and gaining a National Teacher Award in 2015 I started my career in Education.
As I progressed on my journey I became involved in the wellbeing of children and adults and started to lead PSHE, RSE, behaviour and wellbeing across the schools I was teaching in. One of my big passions is the wellbeing of others and in my teaching career I became an advocate for employees wellbeing and involved in Trust wide Employee Voice committees.
In 2020 I found my love for Play Therapy. Combining the value of play from my Early Years teaching background and my commitment to the emotional support and well being of children I embarked on my Play Therapy journey.
In 2021 I qualified as a Therapeutic Play Practitioner with Distinction and in 2025 also achieved Distinction in my Diploma in Play Therapy. During my training I completed my placement in a special education needs school and could see the benefits Play Therapy had for children with additional needs.
It was here, I really saw the value and importance of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and became a member of the PTUK E.D.I committee. I have been fortunate enough to shape policies and training materials linked to the 9 protective characteristics and this is an area of my Play Therapy work I am also very passionate about.
Having had many years of experience working with children at a primary aged level I gained valuable experience with young people with additional needs aged 12-13 years old. In 2025, I embarked on a PQ Relational Play and Creative Arts Therapy qualification working with young people combining counselling and play therapy.
My passion lies in supporting others and investing in a child’s or young person’s emotional and wellbeing journey which I feel is crucial for them to achieve their unique potential.
Hi, I’m Mwape,
I’m currently in the final year of my MSc in Play Therapy at the University of South Wales and will be graduating this July – an exciting milestone! I’m a registered student member of the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT).
I also hold a degree in Early Childhood Studies and have experience working with children, young people, and families in a variety of settings, including private nurseries, charities, and children’s social care.
I am passionate about supporting the emotional well-being of children and young people through creative approaches so I’m excited to begin my journey as a Play Therapist, and to be part of the work happening at Our Space!
Our Space 